I was pleasantly surprised to see a big to-do planned down in the next county. The town population is about 8,000 and the whole county is about 50,000. They have over 30 green businesses, some government agencies and many volunteer groups who will have displays and information, and a LOT of hands-on things for kids like worm farming, live critters that live in streams and how water quality affects them, plant a flower and take home a seedling; displays of renewable energies like wind and solar, building a rain barrel and water conservation... you can even test-drive a hybrid vehicle and other green vehicles. Their list is long. They also have planned an adjacent recycling area for CFL's and batteries, something not normally available here.

Hey everybody. I am watching Oprah right now about plastic and the garbage in the ocean. There will be a special by Fabien Cousteau (grandson on Jacques Cousteau - the French oceanographer) tonight on CBS about this.

Welll, our town didn't do much, sadly, but there is a group who is organizing a week-long town clean-up, involving both individuals and community groups.

I work at the local library, and I organized a series of six talks/programs on several environment-related issues, such as composting, organic gardening, energy alternatives, local eating, etc. It was a very last-minute thing, and having no experience really I was just kind of winging it, but I was very pleased with the response I got from those I contacted to come to speak for us. I only wish I could get the community to respond as well. Attendance has not been the greatest, but I guess it's a start.

This is so depressing. When I put out my recycling container earlier, I looked up and down the street without seeing any others. Cleaning up after ourselves is everybody's job but I think it will take some kind of carrot and stick approach to make it happen. The stick needs to be at the manufacturer's level and the carrot needs to be at the consumer's level. It would be politically unpopular but how else?

Digger that was a fine thing you did. Start now planning for your next round.

Thanks Twiggy. So far the speakers have been very good, so that is a plus. And I am hoping to start earlier next year. This was just a project that landed in my lap when I asked if the library was going to do anything. The answer was "no... but if you want to..." and so about four weeks ago I rolled up the sleeves and got down to business. I did it because, like so many here, I feel passionately about these issues.

Not great attendance, but I'm still glad I did it, and we will indeed plan on a head-start next year!